Arsene Wenger responds to claims Mesut Ozil picks and chooses when to play

Arsene Wenger has hit back at claims Mesut Ozil picks and chooses the games he wants to play in after he missed the 5-0 win over Burnley with a back complaint.

Ozil had a game to forget in Arsenal’s 1-0 Europa League defeat to Atletico Madrid in the match before, in what was Wenger’s last chance to win silverware this season before bowing out.

“It seems as though he picks and chooses his games,” said Martin Keown on BT Sport after the game, adding: “I bet he doesn’t play again this season.

“He’ll have some emotional breakdown and he won’t able to play at the weekend. I don’t know how many illnesses he has had this season but the fella is not kidding me.”

Wenger was asked whether Ozil, who has missed Arsenal’s last five Premier League games, picks and chooses when he wants to play in his Tuesday press conference, and reiterated the midfielder is injured.

“He wanted to play on Sunday,” insisted the Arsenal boss. “It was a game that was enjoyable to play.”

Arsenal are yet to announce who will be their next manager after Wenger announced he would be standing down after 22 years in charge at the end of the season.

Juventus boss Max Allgeri recently confirmed he is interested in the job, but there are a number of names from the decorated Carlo Ancelotti to the untested Zeljko Buvac still in the mix.

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